Bulgarian Ambassador Metin Kazak (left) and Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti at the opening of “Fragrances from Bulgaria” exhibition at Katara, yesterday. Pic: Raynald C Rivera / The Peninsula
Twenty-two photographs of stunning Bulgarian lavender and rose fields are on show at the “Fragrances from Bulgaria” exhibition which opened yesterday at the Cultural Village Foundation – Katara.
The vivid images on display are some of the photos taken by Bulgarian lensmen Krasimir Matarov and Ruslan Asanov in their years-long search for the aromatic fields at the time when the fields were not yet marked on geographic maps.
A mesmerizing and breathtaking sight, the fields have become a major source of a fast growing industry as well as a main tourist destination attracting thousands of tourists annually.
“This exhibition called ‘Fragrances from Bulgaria’ is an initiative of our embassy together with Katara Cultural Village. It depicts astonishing pictures of wonderful Bulgarian lavender and rose fields and the harvest of these very precious and beautiful flowers which are used in the production of essential oil which is the basis of the best brands of perfumes in the world,” Bulgarian Ambassador Metin Kazak told The Peninsula.
The ambassador highlighted the importance of the lavender and rose oil industry to Bulgarian as the leading producer of essential oils. Bulgaria exports around 2.5 tonnes of premium rose oil annually and is expected to increase over three tonnes this year.
“Bulgaria is the leading exporter of rose oil and also now Bulgaria has become the biggest producer and exporter of lavender oil in Europe. I’m inviting everybody to come to the exhibition to see these wonderful photographs and to visit Bulgaria especially in May and June when these beautiful flower fields are flourishing,” he said.
This is not the first time the Bulgarian Embassy has collaborated with Katara in presenting an art exhibition and more similar events can be expected in the near future, said the ambassador.
“It’s the third exhibition that we have organized in Katara and we are very happy with this successful cooperation which we will continue in the next year. Bulgaria is assuming the local presidency of the European Union so we have more cultural projects organised with Katara during this period,” he explained.
Katara General Manager Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti and Ambassador Kazak along with the artists opened the exhibition with ambassadors, officials and Qatar’s art community in attendance.
The exhibition is open to the public until January 6 at the Gallery 2 of Katara Building 19.
